J.K. Rowling on 'The Casual Vacancy,' Using a Disguise, What She Learned from Michael Jackson

J.K. Rowling on 'The Casual Vacancy,' Using a Disguise, What She Learned from Michael Jackson

 J.K. Rowling has found success few authors could dream of, but managing her worldwide fame is something the notoriously private author still wrestles with as she prepares for the release of her highly-anticipated adult novel, "The Casual Vacancy."

"I once have used a disguise," Rowling, 47, said in an exclusive and rare television interview with "Nightline" anchor Cynthia McFadden in Edinburgh, Scotland. "It was effective. It's how I managed to buy my own wedding dress. But I am not going to tell you what it was, in case I have to use it again. But it did work."

Rowling's Harry Potter books have sold more than 450 million copies, been translated into 73 languages and produced eight blockbuster movies, making her the first billionaire author. But the woman who built an empire using made-up words such as, "codswallop," "Hufflepuff" and "veritaserum" left that magical world behind to write about a much grittier place, one called Pagford, where characters use words like "condom," "heroin" and "vagina."

The frenzy of interest in "The Causal Vacancy" has the publisher guarding it like the Sorcerer's Stone, keeping its plot under lock and key until its Sept. 27 release date. (McFadden and ABC News producers read the manuscript, kept protected in the publisher Little, Brown and Company's New York office).

 Rowling's world hasn't been ordinary for quite some time. She was on a train when she first dreamed up her idea for a story about the boy wizard in 1990. "The Casual Vacancy" came to her five years ago while she was on a private jet, touring the United States to promote the last Harry Potter book.

"When I first became, what I called rich, and actually, that was way before a lot of people would have called me rich, it was uncomfortable," she said. "The shift was so dramatic. I found it very disorientating. I felt guilty, strange, out of order, didn't know what to do, was scared I was going to blow it in some way and my daughter's security would be gone."

It's a fear that became very real when Rowling discovered that a journalist had managed to slip a note into her 5-year-old daughter's school bag one day.

"That was pretty much the worst thing that ever happened to me," Rowling said. "It felt like something the secret police would do, just to prove they could get there.... To this day, I think that was the worst thing."

Last year, Rowling, along with actors Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, testified before a judge-led committee investigating Britain's aggressive tabloids. Rowling said she grappled with the decision to testify for some time.

"I thought long and hard before doing that," she said. "Because you're in this paradoxical situation where you're sitting up in front of live cameras, and in the interest of your privacy, you're kind of invading your privacy. But…it was quite healing."

She even considered writing "The Casual Vacancy" under a pseudonym, but decided against it in the end.

Avoiding a wedding (budget) hangover

Avoiding a wedding (budget) hangover

 He's not the marrying type, but James Bond will be a lasting memory for newlyweds Grant McIntyre and Maxine Morrison on what's possible when saving for a wedding.

In the lead-up to their June wedding, the Melbourne couple were shocked at how easy it would be for costs to skyrocket, notably when Morrison couldn't find the right dress and faced the prospect of spending thousands on something that was not quite perfect.

So Morrison instead chose an off-the-rack dress that could be worn again. With the money saved, the couple treated themselves to an A$1300 (NZ$1635) vintage poster from the famous Bond movie Thunderball that they saw in a shop across the road. Not quite the typical wedding gift, but nonetheless striking.

"We could see there would be a lot of things the money could be better spent on," Morrison said of the approach they took towards their wedding.

The couple estimates they spent about A$24,000, and saved money on several fronts. A winter wedding kept the price down at their reception venue and holding separate "pre-parties" for extended family in their home towns meant the guest list at the wedding didn't swell out of hand.

While pleased with how they organised the wedding, they acknowledge it grew from what was originally intended to be a small occasion with immediate family.

For many couples, a wedding budget is well intentioned but easily stretched as the big day nears. Extra outlays can be justified by the dream of the perfect day or putting on a memorable show, but what if it means going into financial difficulty?

Melbourne wedding planner Rob Greca, of Vogue Weddings & Events, says there is little point in a couple paying for an extravagant wedding if it puts strain on the relationship.

"We always tell the bride and groom that they need to understand that the last thing they want to do is tie the knot and then have a burden that they need to pay off - the wedding," he says.

"Having all these elements in the wedding, they need to be sure it's not going to be an issue later on ... we don't want people to spend A$60,000 on their wedding and feel like they're celebrities if afterwards they'll struggle to make the payments and have pressure put on the partnership."

Financial planner Laura Menschik, a director at WLM Financial, says discipline is the key in paying for a wedding as things can get out of hand with so many elements to consider.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Dating: Plan to Get Dog Together, Marry and Have Babies?

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Dating: Plan to Get Dog Together, Marry and Have Babies?

A friend told a press, "Mila and Ashton have been touring shelters looking for an abandoned dog that needs a loving home."

GlobalGrind reported: The "That 70's Show" couple showed some public displays of affection on the streets of Manhattan, as they headed for some gelato in matching outfits. Both Mila and Ashton rocked Chicago Bears t-shirts, but they still gave a shout out to NYC.

Before their casual Sunday afternoon watching football and eating sweets, Mila and Ashton spent the previous evening at a romantic dinner at Spasso in New York.

According to People.com, "It seemed like they wanted everyone to know they were together."

The pair has been linked since April.

In August, Kunis denied the rumors that her and Kutcher were dating, but it seems unlikely now.

People magazine were also spotted smooching in New York's Central Park on Monday.

With Kutcher, 34, wearing a baseball hat and Kunis, 29, dressed casually in sweats, the famous pair could easily be mistaken for lovestruck tourists visiting the park.

"They held hands and were very affectionate," an onlooker tells PEOPLE. "They seemed to enjoy exploring the city together. They looked very relaxed and seemed very happy together."

According to EntertainmentWise, sources say that the co-stars aren't feeling as concerned towards Kutcher's ex Demi Moore, and that Kunis is not scared about showing how series she is about her future with Kutcher.

"Mila knows she's not always going to be liked by Demi, but she's done nothing wrong," the source told Closer magazine.

"Now she and Ashton have decided to make a real go of things together, she's never been happier."

It seems the couple is getting even more serious since moving in together. Mila shacked up with Ashton earlier this month and are already thinking marriage and babies.

"They've been so happy since moving in, they've said they've discussed starting to try for a baby," the source went on.

"They don't see the point in waiting when they're so deeply in love and want the same thing."

According to Perez Hilton, "Mila's now saying she and Ashton want to marry and raise children, and she's assured stunned pals that he doesn't need a divorce from Demi because the two were never legally wed in a civil ceremony... They got 'hitched' in a symbolic Kabbalah ceremony."

According to USWeekly, in the August issue of Interview magazine, Kunis opened up about her plans to start a family -- one day in the future, that is. "Listen, in five years I do hope to have a family, and, you know, who knows? . . . "I've always been a big proponent of not working for the sake of working, because I don't want to work for the rest of my life -- I want to live. So I'd rather work to live than live to work."

Tashkent Mayor Seeks To Tone Down Extravagant Weddings

Tashkent Mayor Seeks To Tone Down Extravagant Weddings

Planning a lavish wedding? Then it's best to avoid the Uzbek capital.

Tashkent's mayor has imposed strict new regulations on weddings, funerals, and other family celebrations.

The rules, outlined in a September 10 decree by Mayor Rakhmonbek Usmanov, aim to limit the cost, number of guests, and duration of such events, which he says have become increasingly "pompous" and "extremely wasteful" -- and need to be toned down.

“The parties should therefore be smaller, cozier, and conducted in an orderly fashion," Usmanov wrote in the decree, which was published on his official website. "It is very important to make them smaller and more formal."

Across Central Asia, lavish weddings and funerals are the norm, with families often spending their entire life savings on them.

In Kazakhstan, for example, wedding parties can last up to seven days and sometimes cost tens of thousands of dollars. Even a "chapan," the traditional overcoat that Kazakh families are expected to present as a gift to their new in-laws, can cost as much as $5,000.

In Uzbekistan, the smallest of weddings typically involves at least 300 guests.

But that's about to change, at least in the country's capital.

Under the new decree, families holding weddings in Tashkent will only be able to invite a maximum of 100 guests. The rule will also apply to funerals and other gatherings.

Families will be obliged to sign a contract with the owner of the venue, settling on the price and number of guests prior to the ceremony.

CdM Businesses Team Up for First-Ever Bridal Walk on Sunday

CdM Businesses Team Up for First-Ever Bridal Walk on Sunday

More than 20 brides spent the afternoon strolling through Corona del Mar, shopping and researching wedding-themed businesses that teamed up for the inaugural CdM Bridal Walk held Sunday.

“This was small and intimate,” said bride-to-be Jennifer Huynh of Fountain Valley, who is planning an August 2013 wedding. “It was entertaining, it was elegant, there was no pressure. It’s a community event, not a bridal expo, and it had a different atmosphere.”

Brides began the afternoon at the Port Restaurant, where they checked in and received a map showing about 30 participating businesses. Then they walked or drove their own course, visiting shops including Tony Florez Photography studio, The White Dress bridal gown shop, Beach Candy swimwear boutique, Mark Patterson Jewelry, Corona del Mar Florist, Francis-Orr Stationery and more. Many of the shops offered refreshments and special coupons — or ideas for brides to consider while planning their weddings.

“I definitely got some ideas,” said Jamie Pienkowski of Newport Beach, who is planning a May wedding. “Everybody was really nice. I had some ideas, but it’s coming down to the wire. Now it’s time to prioritize.”

Michelle Plummer and her fiance, Frank Nellor, of Aliso Viejo, are planning a June wedding, and they said they really enjoyed checking out Sherman Library & Gardens as a possible venue.

“The gardens were amazing,” Nellor said.

“It was a lot of fun,” Plummer said. “I’d definitely recommend it for other brides.”

The event concluded at Five Crowns Restaurant, where the brides and their friends, or mothers, or fiancés, sampled a specialty cocktail called Wedding Cake that included whipped cream-flavored vodka, as well as passed canapes, in the garden rooms. Brides received raffle tickets at each shop they visited, and at the end of the day, tickets were drawn for prizes including restaurant gift certificates, flower arrangements and a Mark Patterson platinum and diamond band. Barbara Wallace, a former wedding planner based in Corona del Mar and author of “Beautiful Bride from Every Angle,” signed copies of the book as gifts to registered participants.

Organizers said they were pleased with the success of the event, and they planned to organize another.

“I think it was a good start,” said Harriet Malmon, owner of Francis-Orr. “I hope we do it again.”

Josette Patterson of Mark Patterson Jewelry was a major force behind the walk.

“It was worth all the work,” she said, watching as brides laughed and shared stories at Five Crowns. “It’s an investment in the future.”

‘Downton Abbey’ Fashion: Season 3, Wedding Dress, and Emmy Nomination

‘Downton Abbey’ Fashion: Season 3, Wedding Dress, and Emmy Nomination

A new season of Downton Abbey offers up the sprawling British countryside, eye-rolling maids, and a sharp-tongued Dowager Countess. But if you ask some of us what we’re most looking forward to with Downton’s return, the answer is simple: the costumes. 

The third season of the Emmy-nominated series, which returned in the United Kingdom on Sunday and premieres in the U.S. in January, continues with the show’s tradition of lavish period fashion. Since it premiered in 2010, Downton has secured its place in the fashion world: Ralph Lauren themed his fall collection around the show, and recently announced a sponsorship of Masterpiece. The show’s fashion has received so much attention that its fashion designer, Susannah Buxton, was nominated for an Emmy Award this year. Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) has appeared in countless fashion glossies; Anna Wintour has given the show her seal of approval; and even Pippa Middleton is a fan, visiting the set with her parents last season for a guided tour. “I explained to her that the costume tries to reflect personality and class of each character, and she was really interested,” Buxton says.

The show’s second season introduced World War I, and the upper-class Crawley family was forced to adapt to the changing times. “There was a question of how we would portray them,” Buxton says. “There were constrictions on the availability of good cloth. They weren’t able to indulge their fashion desires the way they would previously. In the daytime they dressed more somberly, but behind the scenes in the evening, all the diamonds came out.” 

But since the finale of Season 2, a lot has changed. For starters, the war has ended. And Buxton is gone; now the costume department is run by her former assistant, Caroline McCall.  “I just felt the time was right,” Buxton tells The Daily Beast. “You can lose your initial passion for it.”

Season 3 opens in the dawn of the 1920s, and styles change considerably over the course of the season. Men’s suits have slimmer waists and wider legs; dresses are shorter and less fussy than those of the Edwardian period.  The show’s fashion is reflected most in the three young daughters of the house—Mary (Michelle Dockery), with her passion for sophisticated style; Edith (Laura Carmichael), who tarts up to snare a husband; and Sybil (Jessica Findlay Brown), with her love of bohemia— but certain characters remain stuck in the mud. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) remains largely unchanged, and Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith)—practically mummified in Edwardiana—comes face to face with new cast member Shirley MacLaine’s Martha Levinson, the jazzed-up American mother-in-law who shows her ankles and is covered in jewels.

While the costumes appear to be a pitch-perfect backdrop to the unfolding drama, they surprisingly don’t adhere to the period as much as one might imagine.  “I wanted to achieve the aesthetic of the time, but to make it attractive to modern audiences,” Buxton says. “It’s a translation rather than trying to be historically accurate.” That meant dying modern fabrics to appear old, creating pieces and accessories inspired by the period, and being influenced a fair amount by modern styles. The designers say they create a mood board for each principal character.

“You try whenever possible to recreate the feel of the period,” says McCall, who designed the costumes for season 3. “I bought a lot of vintage fabric. It’s much easier to start with something real and work with that than start from scratch.” McCall says there are a lot of original period pieces this season, adding that she scoured the pages of contemporary fashion magazines for inspiration. (She even says that Lady Mary reads Vogue in one episode.) Mary owns a dress by designer Vionnet, which McCall created around styles from the period.

Evocative art on display in Wymondham

Evocative art on display in Wymondham

A Christian Dior gown from 1954 in bronze taffeta, lavish paintings of the female body, digital drawings inspired by catwalk models of the forties and fifties and beautiful dresses adorned with butterflies, hymn books and snake skin. It’s an eclectic mix of art and fashion set to shock, surprise and entertain the viewer in equal measures at an exhibition in Wymondham Arts Centre this week.

Curated by artist Krys Leach, Unlaced – clothing and the female form is an exhibition of work by Norfolk artists intended as an elegant reflection on the female image; with and without clothes.

“The female image is one of the most evocative forms of art,” says Krys. “Her body has dictated style – in art and fashion – but it has also been moulded by it. Some of the work is innovative and eye-opening. Some is witty, and some is just ravishing. It all adds up to a vibrant celebration of a subject that is as enduring as it is varied.”

This is the third Unlaced exhibition from Krys, who launched the installation in Cromer a few years ago when he was a curator at the Church Street Gallery. This time, nine artists from differing mediums will present their work based upon the female image and how clothing has changed over the past century, from the Victorian era to the present day. Krys will also be exhibiting his paintings depiciting the female form.

“The exhibition is a mix of arts and crafts,” explains Krys. “There is no distinction between fashion and clothing, ceramics and art. All represent the female form in ways that will surprise not only through the pieces on show, but I also think that people will be surprised to learn that we have so much variety of work that is produced in Norfolk. There are lots of high end art exhibitions and also pieces that are mass produced for the tourist industry, many artists that fall between these two stalls are not as well-known or represented. This exhibition aims to give both well-known and lesser known artists a platform to showcase their work. It’s interesting to see what emerges from the work when it is put together in one show.”

One of the eminent artists to exhibit is Sprowston’s Louise Richardson, who is one of Norfolk’s foremost artists and a part-time lecturer on the textiles course at the University College of the Arts (NUCA) – she also studied at NUCA in the days when it was known as Norwich Art College. Her work involves turning wearable dresses into the unwearable by incorporating unexpected materials in beautiful pieces of fashion.

“The idea behind my pieces is myth, memory and storytelling,” says Louise. “I use similar techniques to painting a portrait but clothes are used instead of a person. I take a dress as the basic format and then turn this into something beautiful, but totally unwearable, by incorporating surprising materials such as butterflies or dandelions.

“The idea is based on how people would stitch herbs into the hems of children’s clothing or would leave a needle in the fabric for protection.”

One of Louise’s most startling pieces is entitled Telling Tales and is a dress made out of nine-inch nails which, at first glance, looks like fox fur.

Each item of clothing can be interpreted in different ways depending on the viewer and this is the intention of curator Krys Leach – to create a journey that is innovative and eye-opening, witty and unexpected.